Sale have forfeited their final game of the Premiership season after seven further positive tests for Covid-19.
The club’s match against Worcester had originally been delayed after 16 first-team members and three staff tested positive in a mass outbreak of the virus.
Sale had bargained on keeping their play-off hopes alive and director of rugby Steve Diamond named a squad for Wednesday’s match but has now called off the game after five further players and two members of staff produced positive results from tests on Tuesday.
In a statement, the club said: “This is devastating for Sale, the players and staff with Covid-19, denying the club the chance to challenge for the Premiership title at the final hurdle. But we understand that the welfare of the players, staff and officials is the most important factor.”
The top-four will therefore remain as they stand, with top-of-the-table Exeter taking on fourth-placed Bath and second-placed Wasps taking on Bristol for the other spot in the Premiership final.
